US Patent 11493135 Non-contact seal with axial engagement

An assembly is provided for rotational equipment. This assembly includes a stationary structure, a rotating structure rotatable about an axial centerline, and a non-contact seal assembly. The non-contact seal assembly is configured to substantially seal a gap between the stationary structure and the rotating structure. The non-contact seal assembly includes a seal shoe configured to sealingly engage the rotating structure axially along the axial centerline.